County gears up for career-based month

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across Lenoir County will make a statement during the national month to honor them.

Jessika Morgan / Staff Writer

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across Lenoir County will make a statement during the national month to honor them.

Beginning Feb. 1, middle and high school students will have a chance to put their work on display and engage with prospective careers and employers during National CTE Month.

Lenoir County Schools will focus on community partnerships this year, which will include involving organizations such as Lenoir 2020 and collaborating with various Lenoir Community College programs.

“We just know how important it is for students to explore different career options so they can make good decisions about their subject are when they come to college” said Sue Novicki, LCC student recruiter.

The school will provide job shadowing for some seventhgraders and a career fair for the three area counties as part of CTE Month.

“Instructors are preparing and getting materials ready (to) give to students,” Novicki said. “A lot of career exploration will be going on for students.”

In exchange, the county’s middle and high schools will have display boards set up at Vernon Park Mall for the community to view, spotlighting CTE students who’ve shown outstanding performances in their career pathway.

Jessica Shimer, LCS Career Development Coordinator, said CTE programs work to get engage students and February is a month-long opportunity to show off.

In 2011, 89.6 percent of North Carolina students graduated high school when enrolled in a four-credit CTE pathway program, which is designed for students planning careers in subject areas like agriculture, business, technology and health.

In Lenoir County, 90.4 percent of high school students graduated under those circumstances.

“CTE works,” Shimer said. “CTE Month, as much as anything, helps (students) grow to learn the importance of networking and connecting with the community. It’s a celebration of what we’re doing well.”

During the first week, a proclamation from the county commissioners will be announced and accepted. The N.C. Business Committee for Education will partner with the Department of Public Instruction and Gear Up NC, a local organization, for Students at Work, placing middle school children at different companies for a day.

“I think they benefit,” Shimer said of student involvement. “Through CTE, they are developing a network with business and industry with community partners.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.

BREAKOUT BOX:

Career and Technical Education Month schedule (subject to change):

Feb. 1 — CTE department displays will be set up at Vernon Park Mall, including CTE Student Spotlights

First two weeks in February:

Feb. 25 - March 1 — Students at Work Week

Feb. 28 — Lenoir Community College hosts career day at Jones Senior High School

March 1 — Rochelle Middle School Career Fair

For more information, contact Lenoir County Schools Career and Development Coordinator at 252-527-9184 ext. 1399 or jshimer@lenoir.k12.nc.us